The contract manufacturing deal valued at over N10billion,
The Nation learnt, was the outcome of a three years negotiation when Fidson got
nod to manufacture five products for GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc.
At the commencement ceremony in Lagos, the Managing Director
of GSK Nigeria, Kunle Oyelana justified the rationale behind the partnership.
“When we took a decision in GSK to evolve our competing model to a point where
we go into working with local manufacturers to manufacture some of our
products, it was a significant endeavour. We took that decision in the interest
of the country, particularly the economy and the patients in Nigeria,” Oyelana
said.
He further stated that, “It took time, it was not an
overnight journey because a lot of changes had to be made and that is why we
are very glad that our regulator, the National Agency for Food and Drug
Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had been with us every step of the way in
this journey.”
The model, according to GSK is an in-country manufacturing
partnership between a global player and local player. It is a model which has
worked in several other climes, and is supposed to support Nigerian pharmaceutical
sector towards reaching a global standard within a very short time.
In his remarks, the Managing Director, Fidson Healthcare
Plc, Dr. Fidelis Ayebae explained that the partnership will generate more
employment opportunities for Nigerians. “This is a transfer of manufacturing
capabilities and assets from GSK to an indigenous company, Fidson Healthcare
Plc. It is however not a merger or acquisition but an outsourcing arrangement.
This is a big deal for Fidson and Nigeria. This agreement will benefit
Nigerians such that they will continue to have access to the quality products
of GSK for a long time through an indigenous company, Fidson who employs
Nigerians to run its operations,” Ayebae said.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Mojisola Adeyeye in her
remarks commended the two firms for their sustainable investment in the
Nigerian pharmaceutical industry even as the agency intensifies its oversight
function to drive excellence in the industry. “Part of our regulatory system is
focused on local manufacturing because if you want to avoid substandard,
falsified medicine or reduce it, then we have to emphasise local manufacturing.
It is good for our country and the economy. It will reduce unemployment,
increase our GDP and return us to where we used to be; which was exporting
healthcare products.”
In his goodwill message, the Deputy British High
commissioner to Nigeria, Ben Llewellyn-Jones who reiterated the Commission’s
commitment to support GSK and Fidson in the production of locally made products
for the benefit of Nigerians.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
0 comments:
Post a Comment